Thursday, 22 October 2009

Reds to play waiting game over Gerrard

Steven Gerrard
Liverpool's inspirational captain Steven Gerrard is a major doubt for this Sunday's crucial Premier League clash against Manchester United after limping out of last night's Champions League defeat to Lyon.

The Reds suffered a fourth consecutive defeat when they conceded an injury-time goal to the French side at Anfield, despite taking a first-half lead through Yossi Benayoun.

And manager Rafael Benitez's woes were compounded by the injury to Gerrard, who lasted only 25 minutes of the clash before being withdrawn with a recurrence of the groin injury that prevented him playing in the 1-0 defeat at Sunderland on Saturday.

'I think it is the same problem,' said Benitez afterwards.

'He felt something, so he knew it was better to come off.'

Despite seeing his skipper struck down so soon after returning to the first-team fold, Benitez denied it was a risk playing the midfielder.

When questioned, the Spaniard countered: 'It wasn't a risk - he wanted to play and the doctor said he was OK.

'He has been training for the last two days. Sometimes it is just bad luck.'

If Gerrard's injury means he misses the north-west derby at Anfield on Sunday, the Reds will be below full strength as they look to avoid a fifth straight loss - extending their worst run of results for more than 20 years.

Fans will now also be keeping close tabs on the fitness of star striker Fernando Torres, who has not played since injuring his groin on international duty with Spain.

However, in the build-up to the Lyon match Benitez said he expects the club's record signing to be fit by the weekend.ADNFCR-708-ID-19418837-ADNFCR

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